Prime Minister Tusk wants greater US protection for Poland

( dpa ) - Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told journalists in Warsaw Wednesday that his approval for a planned US missile- defence shield would depend on a greater US contribution to Poland's security.

The setting up of the defence system was conditional on the outcome of other talks increasing, not weakening, Poland's security, Tusk said.

Tusk said he felt responsible for the security of Poles and not, "with all respect to the greatest ally," for the security of the United States.

Poland had not yet received any guarantee that "the level of Polish security" would increase, Tusk said.

Tusk refused to give details of the Polish negotiating position.

Warsaw is demanding as protection from possible Russian attack the installation of the US Patriot air-raid defence system, or the so- called Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD).

A bilateral military agreement should also guarantee that Poland receives the most up-to-date US weapons, Tusk said.

Polish Defence Minister Bogdan Klich was expected to travel to Washington for discussions next week.

Tusk is due to discuss the US missile-defence plans with his Czech counterpart Mirek Topolanek on Thursday.

Washington plans to set up a missile-defence shield in Central Europe: Poland would host a launching pad for interceptor missiles, while the Czech Republic would accommodate a radar station.

The US claims it needs the shield to prevent long-range attacks from Iran.

Russia mistrusts the moves and has threatened military countermeasures.